Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41287144›Full record

SynthesisDevelopmental medicine and child neurology2026

Non-epileptic paroxysmal events in Rett syndrome: A systematic review of case-based and observational evidence.

Natasha Bhatti, Daniel E Lumsden

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Natasha BhattiEast Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, Kent, UK.
Daniel E LumsdenComplex Motor Disorder Service, Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-5524-6177

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo systematically review and characterize the spectrum of non-epileptic paroxysmal events in individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT).

methodWe conducted a descriptive systematic review of observational evidence. Searches were conducted across the PubMed, Embase, and OVID databases for studies published from January 1962 to September 2024. Eligible studies included case reports, case series, cohort studies, and small clinical trials that described non-epileptic events in individuals with clinically or genetically confirmed RTT. Data were extracted on study design, participant characteristics, and event types. Events were categorized into respiratory, neuromotor, and behavioural domains.

resultsSixty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, representing a wide age range of individuals with RTT. The most frequently reported paroxysmal non-epileptic events were respiratory disturbances, including breath-holding and hyperventilation, followed by vacant spells, involuntary movements, and behavioural episodes such as agitation and inappropriate laughter. Discrepancies were noted between the diagnostic attribution of clinician-reported and family-reported events. The term 'Rett episodes' was used by a minority of authors.

interpretationA wide range of non-epileptic paroxysmal events requiring different treatment approaches are experienced by patients with RTT. Enhancing clinician awareness and developing clearer diagnostic frameworks are key to improving classification accuracy and preventing unnecessary treatment.

Indexed as

Rett SyndromeChildHumansObservational Studies as Topic

Identifiers

PMID41287144
PMCPMC13160399

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.